Logical Parent TraitsPage 75

Subconscious Level

Logical parent traits can present problems in a Christian witnessing situation. Some people have been taught by their parents never to discuss religion, so when faith is mentioned their "logical parent traits" mechanism shuts down the logical thought patterns and emotions to automatically change the subject or to switch off their mind completely. This block prevents the "adult" or the "child" responses. As this is basically an objection to thinking through the subject, the best approach is to search in the child area for an emotional response to God and work with that. There is always the danger of the fuse blowing again once you mention God but the Holy Spirit can break through at a subconscious level when human resources fail.✞

A Logical Adult

These three responses may be seen quite clearly in the way that people relate to God. The "adult" is seen in the verse to verse counseling chains and Bible exposition appealing to the logical parent traits in all of us. The "child" is seen in the emotional hymn or the quietly repetitive or meditational prayer. The "parent" is evident when someone says, "But we were always taught to do it this way," perhaps because a minister or parent had said so! So we can see that by understanding our natural responses more clearly, we may be better able to lead someone to Jesus who would otherwise not find Him.✞